Women Will Be Allowed To Surf At Mavericks For The First Time

Every year, 24 of the top surfers in the world are called to compete in Half Moon Bay to compete in the Titans of Mavericks surfing competition.  For the 15 years the competition has existed, not a single female has been invited to compete.

The Coastal Commission, which has not been involved in the competition until this year, has said that if Mavericks wants to keep its permit, it must find a way to get women to surf at the event.

Event organizers already say that they consider getting women to compete, but at the end of the day, “We are looking for the absolute best of the best in the water,” Jeff Clark, Water Marshall for the event, told CBS.

When asked about the Coastal Commission, Clark added, “I think they are outside their scope of jurisdiction at this point. I hope they find a great sponsor and put on a great women’s event.”

It remains to be seen whether or not the women would compete directly against the men or if they would get their own independent heat for the event.  Savannah Shaughnessy, who has made the short list of surfers decided by Committee 5, five well-known local surfers, who decide who should compete in the event told KQED in San Francisco, “None of the women surf at the same level as the top men. However, we progress every year.”

It seems that a direct competition with both men and women competing against each other is unlikely, Shaughnessy’s opinion was shared by Committee 5 member Shawn Rhodes when talking to KQED, “So far, a woman hasn’t come to the table doing the stuff that men who aren’t even getting invited are doing.”

The women though would just like a shot to show that they are capable of riding the waves at Mavericks.  “Give us a heat and let us show you,” said Paige Alms, a big wave surfer from Maui, told KQED.

The push for women to be allowed at Mavericks could come from the priorities of the World Surf League. The League has made gender pay equality and access among its top priorities, despite the WSL not having a Big Wave Tour for women, while the men do have one.

According to KQED, the Coastal Commission will discuss the issue and meet with their stakeholders before next year’s permit application extension.

You can check out surfer Bianca Valenti surfing Mavericks in the video below:

You can also check out footage from Titans of Mavericks 2014:

Article by Nick Vigliotti